Despite Ranveer Singh currently enjoying the greatest success of his career with Dhurandhar 2 (which has pushed the franchise to a combined ₹3,000 crore), he has hit a major "speed-breaker" in his quest to play India’s most iconic superhero. Mukesh Khanna, the creator and original face of Shaktimaan, has once again publicly barred Ranveer from the role, citing a lack of "spiritual positivity."

In a recent interview, Khanna made it clear that while he respects Ranveer’s craft, he does not believe the actor possesses the "aura" required for the legendary character.

The "Kilvish" Offer: Why Mukesh Khanna Said No

Khanna’s critique was surprisingly blunt, focusing on Ranveer's facial expressions and past roles rather than his acting ability.

• The Face of a Villain? Khanna stated, "I can sign Ranveer for Kilvish (the antagonist), but not Shaktimaan. There is negativity on his face, not the positivity required for this role."

• The "Khilji" Shadow: He noted that while Ranveer was brilliant as Alauddin Khilji and in Gully Boy, those intense, gritty roles have created an image that clashes with Shaktimaan. "When he stands there, it shouldn't look like a conspiracy. His eyes should reflect Shaktimaan," Khanna added.

• Rejecting "Big Stars": Khanna emphasized that he isn't looking for a "superstar" for the film. He wants an actor who can embody the character's image without the baggage of previous high-profile commercial roles.

On Ranbir Kapoor’s "Ramayan"

Khanna didn't stop at Ranveer; he also shared his skepticism regarding Ranbir Kapoor’s upcoming Ramayan. Following the recent teaser release, Khanna remained unimpressed.

• Teasers vs. Reality: He compared a film teaser to a couple on a first date—everyone puts their "best foot forward," but the truth only comes out after "marriage" (the full film release).

• The Verdict: He refused to praise the portrayal of Lord Ram based on snippets, stating that the entire film will have to speak for itself.

The Dhurandhar Factor

The irony of Khanna’s rejection lies in Ranveer Singh's current market standing. As of April 29, 2026:

• Dhurandhar 2 is breaking every global record for an Indian film.

• Fans have been campaigning for "Dhurandhar Singh Rangi" to take on the Shaktimaan mantle, believing his current "hero" image is at its peak.

• Industry experts suggest that a Shaktimaan film without a major star like Ranveer might struggle to match the ₹300-₹500 crore budget required for modern superhero VFX.

Summary of the Conflict

Expert Take: Mukesh Khanna’s stance is a classic case of a creator protecting his "IP" (Intellectual Property) against the tide of commercial "stardom." However, in an era where Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is smashing records at 15 and Maruti Suzuki is reporting all-time high sales, the industry usually follows the numbers. Whether Shaktimaan can fly without a superstar remains the biggest question in Bollywood today.